Allentown man gets 25 years for gun, drug charges

His federal sentence includes $2,500 fine, 10 years' probation.

For Joseph Terrell, the price of selling cocaine in Allentown will be steep.

A federal judge on Monday ordered Terrell to serve 25 years in federal prison, without the chance of parole. That means Terrell, 37, of Allentown will be near retirement age when he's released.

Because of mandatory minimum sentencing laws, U.S. District Judge James Knoll Gardner had to sentence Terrell to at least 25 years in prison. In federal court, the sale of crack cocaine and the use of guns in drug trafficking carry long prison terms.

But it could have been worse for Terrell. At the request of the prosecution, Gardner dismissed another gun charge that carried an additional 30-year mandatory minimum term. Prosecutor Seth Weber declined to cite a reason for the dismissal.

That charge accused Terrell of having in his home a Cobray MAC-10 machine pistol in connection with a drug trafficking crime.

Terrell's lawyer, Benjamin Cooper, said 25 years is more than enough prison time. Because of his age, Terrell will not be a threat to society when he's released, Cooper said.

"He will not be the same person who will have the wherewithal or means to commit criminal offenses," Cooper said.

Gardner also ordered Terrell to pay a $2,500 fine and to serve 10 years on probation after his release.

In addition, Terrell will relinquish to the federal government items he bought with the money he made selling drugs. The property includes a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, a 2000 Mercedes Benz, firearms, ammunition, $9,600 in cash and as much as $34,000 in jewelry. He is fighting the confiscation of two pieces of jewelry -- a gold cross and a gold diamond-studded bracelet -- claiming he inherited them.

Terrell helped sell 338 grams of crack between September and November 2003, authorities said.

The first sale happened Sept. 23 at his home when a cooperating witness bought 240 grams of crack from Terrell.

The second sale occurred Oct. 20 after Terrell put the cooperating witness in touch with co-defendant Abdul H. Muhammad of Meadow Street, Allentown. Muhammad, who is scheduled to be sentenced next month, sold the witness 97 grams of crack, authorities said.

Both sales were tape-

recorded by agents. Later, during a search of Terrell's home, agents found a kilogram of powder cocaine, three firearms and ammunition.

Terrell pleaded guilty to distribution of crack, aiding and abetting the distribution of crack, possession of powder cocaine, possessing a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime -- specifically a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol -- and possession of a machine gun.

He has three prior drug trafficking convictions and two violent felony convictions. Terrell did not comment about the sentence.